Psalm 119:121,122 says, “121) I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors. 122) Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.” The Psalmist lived among a people that was proud and oppressed those who did right. Yet he did right anyway. Because he knew he had done right, he pleaded with God to be surety for him, that is, to be his security against loss or damage. A person who is surety is the one who will answer for another in court and pay his debt. What a Friend we have in God when we trust in Him and obey Him! He is our deliverance from trouble.
“123) Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. 124) Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.” (verses 123 and 124) There was nothing the Psalmist longed for more than the word of God. He pleaded with God to teach him His word and to deal with him in mercy.
“I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.” (verse 125) The Psalmist gave himself to the Lord to be the Lord’s servant. He asked the Lord to teach him His testimonies, to show him what the Lord wanted him to do.
“It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.” (verse 126) All about him, the Psalmist could see nothing but pride and evil. He saw a people who had violated and cast off the law of God. This grieved him, and he made his request that God would work. It hurt him to see what happens when a people is rebellious against God.
“127) Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. 128) Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” (verses 127,128) Because the word of God was so hard to find and because people disobeyed and disregarded that law and considered it of no importance, the Psalmist loved God’s law all the more. He cherished it more than gold, even fine gold. He esteemed it to be right and hated falsehood.
The word of God provides our only stability in times of turmoil. While it may be disregarded and cast away by others, it should become even more precious to us. While others depend on their pride and oppression to get ahead and to wield their power, we can depend on God to be surety for us. He cares for us and is a Friend to us. When society all around us wants nothing to do with God’s word, His word should become all the more precious to us. We have a Friend in God, a loving Master, an Advocate, and the word of God to teach us how to live and to sustain us in a troubled world. Thank You, God!